How island roads got their names

We recently debuted a new
column in the Islander examining the history of island road names.
The column is made possible by the work of Elinor Ringland, a
Bainbridge Historical
Society volunteer on a mission to dig up the story behind every
street on Bainbridge.

Elinor and fellow volunteers combed through local history books,
Historical Museum archives, and interviewed islanders to compile
these street name stories. Their work to date can be viewed at the
museum. Many of the histories are based on family lore and are not
necessarily definitive.

If you have a street name story (or myth/rumor/legend) to share,
Elinor would love to hear from you. You can reach her at
elinorjoe@msn.com.

We’ll post the column on this blog each week. Our first two road
name columns involved the namesake of Redmond and a popular
neighborhood fox:

McRedmond Lane

History: Sea captain and carpenter Lucas
McRedmond immigrated from Ireland in the 1840s to escape the most
recent potato famine.

He made his living in the shipyards of Memphis until California
struck gold. Like millions of fellow adventurers, McRedmond made
the dangerous journey around Cape Horn to seek his fortune in
California. Once west, McRedmond met George Meigs, a fellow 49er
questing not for gold but lumber. Together the two opened a mill in
Port Madison.

Throughout his time in the Kitsap community, McRedmond was known
for his involvement in local government serving as county auditor
and commissioner. His prominence led to the town of Redmond and
McRedmond Lane both bearing his name.

Fox Cove Lane

History: In the 1950s, a friendly red fox lived
in the wild plum thicket near Fletcher’s Bay. At the time, red
foxes were common on Bainbridge Island although they are not a
native species. It’s believed they were escapees from fox farms
that flourished in the area during the 1920s.

The fox frequently ate from the same feed tray as the owner’s
ducks (no word on if he also ate the ducks). The owners last saw
him before they left on vacation, though the fox inspired the name
for the area.

Fletcher’s Bay was also rechristened. It was originally known as
Greek George’s Bay after settler George Alap. Wagons would stop at
the beach to take a skiff across the bay to a steamer dock, saving
them what otherwise would have been a long ride. Judging by deep
wagon ruts descovered in the area, the bay seems to have been a
popular spot.